That one common interview question most interviewees hate

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

This is still a common job interview question. But do you hate it as much as I do and would love to stand up and simply leave immediately?

Don’t.

Here is how you can turn this question into a huge win.

Foreword

I’ve interviewed countless times in the last years and had the honor to interview some amazing engineers myself.

I never used this question myself but had to witness HR ask exactly this one.

It took me a good amount of time to understand that, while being a question most interviewees hate, it’s an HR trick to gather valuable information.

Why this question is important

First of all, like any question in an interview, it’s an opportunity for you, the interviewee, to shine and impress your interviewers.

I know that you might hate this question because it’s so cliché, and it isn’t easy to answer. For HR, however, it provides valuable insights. Their job is to ensure that you are at least a good fit (not every company expects the perfect fit) for the job. Your hire is an investment for them. They will provide guidance, often education, and pay you a…